ANTHOCY ANINS IN RED ONION, Allium cepa

SUMMARY– Seven cyanidin and one peonidin glycosides were found in the bulbs of the Ruby and Southport Red Globe varieties of red onion. The major anthocyanin and the one present in second largest quantity were identified on the basis of their chromatographic and spectral properties as cyanidin 3‐glucoside and cyanidin 3‐diglucoside, respectively. The cyanidin 3‐diglucoside was not found identical with either the 3‐sophoroside or the 3‐gentiobioside of cyanidin, therefore, this pigment is not only a “new” compound but it also represents a “new” glycosidic class for antho‐cyanins. The peonidin monoside present only in minor quantity was identified as peonidin 3‐glucoside.